Former England star Graeme Swann backs Northampton cricket player to star in Twenty20 final

Callum Jones

Former England cricket star Graeme Swann has backed Northampton’s David Willey to put in a man of the match performance in the World Twenty20 final on Sunday.

Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, the Ashes-winning spinner said he was hoping that a fellow Northamptonian could put in a match-winning effort on the biggest stage.

He said: “The player who excites me the most at the moment is David Willey. I’ve known him since he was a kid in Northampton.

“He has now matured into a strong athlete. He is a really tenacious performer and without being a superstar with the bat or ball he has turned himself into a brilliant cricketer and the maverick player every team needs.

“He has got that lucky charm aspect to him, and I just think he could be the man that stars in the final. I hope he is as he is from Northampton.

“Northampton Town are flying at the moment in football, and it is about time a Northamptonian won a World Cup with a man of the match performance.”

England will play West Indies in the Twenty20 final at 2.30pm on Sunday.